Past Archives

Raja Rudge — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 16:22:30 +0000

To the dearly departed, From the newly revived

Raja Rudge — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 06:14:41 +0000

I don’t know if anybody has noticed (most probably not) – I have been M.I.A from the blog-o-sphere for almost a year now. Well, let’s just say that’s attributed to a whole lot of lazy and, let’s be honest here, the fact that my blog is whole lot of B.O.R.I.N.G. I looked back at all my entries in the past and found that they ain’t got that personality and inner bitchy that I’ve been trying to vent out, but somehow something got in the way.

For the purpose of trying to keep my sanity in check and to vent out all my anger and bitchiness, I am officially reviving this blog. (Pause for dramatic effect). So, like it or not, DEAL WITH IT!

On the untimely death of Michael Jackson: I AM SO FREAKING UPSET THAT HE’S DEAD! Why so sudden?! It is a great loss to the music industry, but I am certain his name will live on for generations to come. He certainly owned the radio broadcasts the day he died. From looped MJ songs on the radios, to splashed covers on the front pages of newspapers, even though he’s dead, he’ll be very much alive in the memories of his loyal followers – including me. Funny side to the news though – I asked a certain colleague of mine what’s new in the office in the morning. He told me that MJ had died and I actually thought he was just quipping. So, I said some bitchy/funny thing. Everyone kept quit. Next moment, 5 minutes later, I saw the news on television and exclaimed “MJ died!! Noooooooooo”. To MJ, I would like to make a formal apology for saying those mean (but rather funny) quips.

On the spread of H1N1: Thanks H1N1 for restricting my very freedom around town. Thanks to you we all can’t club any longer. However, when it comes to pandemics, I’ve adopted a completely Singaporean approach. I’ve forewarned certain friends and colleagues of mine to stop going to all these nightclubs, otherwise a hangover will not be the only thing they’ll be getting in the morning. I mean talk about risking it. Anyways, I don’t even like to club … much. So to all boys and girls, boys with girls, boys without girls, please please please stay away from clubs, at least for now. For our sakes, don’t let it get to the point where masks are requirements. Masks = No Cool. Cool?

Alrighty, sayonara to whoever’s reading this. Stay tuned OR ELSE!!! But before I go I’ll leave you with a video and think again before you piss off any old ladies, HQ!

Avril’s In the House

Raja Rudge — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 18:57:39 +0000

In honor of Avril’s performance on Sunday, let’s look back into Avril’s newfound success and fame with her debut album Let Go.

Weekender Read: Movies

Raja Rudge — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 10:44:32 +0000

Unbelievable number of movies within a week! So here’s a quickie synopsis guide.

The Hunting Party

An emerging journalist (Jesse Eisenberg), an experienced cameraman (Terrence Howard), and a discredited reporter (Richard Gere) find their bold plan to capture Bosnia’s top war criminal quickly spiraling out of control when a UN representative mistakes them for a CIA hit squad in a light-hearted thriller inspired by Scott Anderson’s popular Esquire article. The Weinstein Company provides stateside distribution for a film written and directed by Richard Shepard (The Matador). ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Personal Rating: 4 / 5

Awesomme!

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Struggling musician Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) is better-known as the boyfriend of TV star Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell). After she unceremoniously dumps him, he feels lost and alone but makes a last-ditch bid to get over it by going to Hawaii. However, she and her new boyfriend (Russell Brand) are there in the same hotel.

Personal Review: 2.5/5

Not so funny when you’re seeing a dude’s thing hang right at the start of a show, especially Segal’s. Eww…

Wall.E

What if mankind had to leave Earth, and somebody forgot to turn the last robot off? WALL•E, a robot, spends every day doing what he was made for. But soon, he will discover what he was meant for. From Academy Award®-winning writer-director, Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo), Disney•Pixar’s WALL•E is the story of one robot’s comic adventures as he chases his dream across the galaxy.

Personal Rating: 3.5/5

Pure speechless, adorable fun from the ET-like robot

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

On the front lines of an intergalactic struggle between good and evil, fans young and old will join such favorite characters as Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padmé Amidala, along with brand-new heroes like Anakin’s padawan learner, Ahsoka. Sinister villains — led by Palpatine, Count Dooku and General Grievous — are poised to rule the galaxy. Stakes are high, and the fate of the Star Wars universe rests in the hands of the daring Jedi Knights. Their exploits lead to the action-packed battles and astonishing new revelations that fill Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Personal Rating: 2/5

Caution: Do NOT watch this if you’re not a Star Wars nerd! Pure TORTURE!

Make It Happen

Lauryn is a girl from small-town Indiana who moves to Chicago with dreams of entering the Chicago School of Music and Dance. But after rejection and a series of misfortunes she finds herself working in a burlesque club. The club proves to be a place of conflict and self-discovery, helping Lauryn to realize that even though plans may change, dreams never do.

From the writer of Save the Last Dance and Step Up and starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead (DEATH PROOF, DIE HARD 4.0) MAKE IT HAPPEN is the uplifting story of how hard work and determination can make any dream come true.

Personal Rating: 3/5

Hint of Coyote Ugly rojak-ed together with Step Up. Not bad, but not Picasso either

The Fourth American Idol Judge

Raja Rudge — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:30:02 +0000

Grammy-Nominated songwriter Kara DioGuardi has joined American Idol as a fourth judge. She will sit alongside Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson at the judges’ table and use her background as an award-winning songwriter and producer to praise or critique the wannabe hopefuls throughout the competition. The eighth season of American Idol premieres January 2009 on FOX.

“We are turning the heat up on Idol this year and are thrilled to welcome Kara to the judges’ table,” said creator and executive producer Simon Fuller. “She is a smart, sassy lady, and one of America’s most successful songwriters. We know she will bring a new level of energy and excitement to the show.”

“We had originally intended for American Idol to have four judges,” said executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz. “We’ve seen from our international series that having a fourth judge creates a dynamic that benefits both the contestants and the viewers.”

Mike Darnell, President, alternative Programming of FOX, added, “For the past seven seasons, Paula has had to endure the experience of being the only woman at the judges’ table. She’s been as an island of consideration and gentle criticism between Randy and Simon, offering her invaluable expertise as a performer and No. 1 artist to the thousands who have competed on American Idol. With Kara by her side, Paula finally has some back-up and now there is going to be a lot more ‘girl power’ on the show.”

One of the industry’s most sought after songwriters and producers, DioGuardi’s songs have appeared on more than 100 million records. Her songs have been recorded by Grammy award-winning artists including Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Santana and Pink. Scores of major recording artists including Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, Pussycat Dolls, Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, Natasha Bedingfield, Jewel, Ashley Tisdale, Katharine McPhee, Taylor Hicks, Bo Bice, Clay Aiken, Ashlee Simpson, Hilary Duff, Jessica Simpson, Kylie Minogue, Enrique Iglesias, Nick Lachey and Marc Anthony have also released DioGuardi’s songs.

Over the last four years, she has been awarded 10 BMI Pop Awards for having written the most performed songs on radio. From her catalog of several hundred songs, over 264 have been released on major labels worldwide; and over 165 have appeared on multi-platinum selling albums. DioGuardi co-owns Arthous Entertainment, where she develops and mentors fellow hit writers, producers and artists.

- AmericanIdol.com